11.21.2010

It was a pretty good week, despite trying to get over being disappointed by people. Shea is back from CA and things with us are shiny, so that helps.

Art, art, art! Finished my photo project studying fabric landscapes, worked with pastels for the first time, and dyed watercolor paper with coffee for my next painting project. Oh, and we also got our first dusting of snow! Which means I don't have to feel so ridiculous anymore for putting snowflake bed sheets on the bed.

So after the last post, I went in and finished the right side. Then I spent days trying to figure out the left side.

During this process I also finished the hair. Here is my *first* finished version of the piece:

After my critique, I realized the shadows sucked, the left eye lid was too big, there were too many left eye lashes, and the background did nothing to enhance the image. So I fixed it:

I like it, but there are still a lot of thinks I want to change, but I doubt I'll have time to do. I'd like to use a bit more variety in my skin. It's very plastic looking. Part of that is due to the fact that I have a very difficult time blending with acrylic. I'd like to boost the contrast a little and add more detail. But for my first portrait, I'm pleased.

11.01.2010

I've been looking for a sleeve for my new Macbook for a while, and couldn't find quite what I was looking for anywhere. I was lucky enough to stumble upon an Etsy shop, btaylorquilts, that had a kindle case that I really liked. I contacted her and asked if she could use the same design for a Macbook sleeve, and look what she came up with!

This are the photos she sent me this morning before she lists it on Etsy!

When I first found her shop, I also found a link to her Facebook Page and Blog, where she announced there was a give-away contest from her shop hosted at Lillyella. I entered just for the heck of it and I found out today that I won! I got to pick from coasters, potholders, and eyeglass cases in her shop, and picked out these fallen leaves coasters.